THE CHICKADEE 



A Study in Black and \Yhite 



ERY early in my experience as a 

 hunter I became acquainted with a 

 small black-and-white bird, who 

 not only announced himself with 

 unmistakable distinctness, but did 

 so at such close range that one 

 could form a very clear idea of his 

 appearance ; and thus because of his notes and trust- 

 fulness I learned to know the Chickadee by name 

 years before I was aware that the woods were 

 tenanted by dozens of other more common but less 

 fearless birds. 



With regret for the universality of the instinct, 

 I found that to see was to desire. I had felt exactly 

 the same longing in regard to other birds, and had 

 thrown many a stone in a fruitless effort to get pos- 

 session of the half-mysterious wild creatures whicli 

 always eluded me ; but the Chickadee came within 

 range of my bean-shooter and soon paid the penalty 

 of misplaced confidence. The little ball of flesh and 

 fluffy feathers was perfectly useless, so after a day 

 or two, the length of time depending on the tem- 

 perature, it was thrown away. 



My curiosity concerning the Chickadee being 

 satisfied, and the bird's tameness making it too easy 



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